- Senegal are on a two-match run (D1, L1) after a friendly 0-0 draw at home to Saudi Arabia and a 1-3 defeat away to France.
- Iraq are also on a two-match losing run (L2) after 0-2 and 1-4 defeats at home to Venezuela (F) and Norway (Group I) respectively.
- Senegal are the clear 31/100 favourites to win this game in the bookies' eyes with Iraq 29/4 and a draw 41/10.
Group I showdown at Toronto Stadium
Two of the four teams in Group I, Senegal and Iraq, meet in a key encounter at Toronto Stadium on Friday as both sides search for their first points after starting their FIFA World Cup campaigns with a loss. Senegal are third, on zero points, after losing 3-1 away to runaway leaders France, while Iraq are fourth, also on zero, following a 4-1 home defeat to Norway.
Senegal boss Pape Thiaw has had a mixed start to life as the Lions of Teranga head coach since his appointment in October 2024. His team have two wins, one draw and two defeats in their last five matches across all competitions and have been guilty of switching off. Senegal's mobile 4-3-3 is built around high pressing and transition play, and they have the physicality, technical quality and forward thrust to bulldoze through Iraq's lines, providing the Lions can keep their shape.
Iraq coach Graham Arnold has had to mould his squad into a unit that has adopted a compact, defense-first mentality, which has been implemented almost immediately since his May 2025 appointment. Iraq have one win and one draw from their last two matches away from home (W1, D1), and look set to set up in a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 system here and attempt to disrupt Senegal's game by parking a deep block and defending zonally.
Iraqi forwards lack a clinical edge
Iraqi forward Ayman Hussein will be Iraq's main goal threat after scoring the Falcons' only goal in Group I and two of their last five overall. The most creative player on the field, midfielder Amir Al-Ammari will have a key role to play, just as he did in the opening match when he provided Iraq's only assist. However, Senegal are clearly the superior squad on paper and have a better overall balance and more reliable goalscorers, such as Ibrahim Mbaye, who has one goal in one Group I match.
Sadio Mané, when pushed forward centrally, is also a world-class player who can provide a huge boost to the game with his energy, pressing and intelligence and Iliman Ndiaye, who has one assist in one Group I outing, will also make the front line very lively. The bookies are pricing up this fixture as a low-scoring affair with 'BTTS - No' at 53/100 and 'Under 2.5 Goals' at 99/100, which is fair enough, although Senegal should have enough about them to pick up a vital Group I win in Toronto.
